Kris Jenner Defends Kylie Jenner’s “Self-Made Billionaire” Title

Ever since Kylie Jenner was named Forbes’ Youngest Self-Made Billionaire earlier this year, the debate has been about whether or not Kylie was actually “self-made”-coming from such a wealthy family as the Kardashian/Jenners. Well, momager Kris Jenner says her daughter is indeed self-made, and she credits Kylie for “showing the rest of us how to do it.”

Kris said in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, “I think she’s self-made. I mean, listen, my girls, you can say that certain things have been handed to them, but it takes a lot of work to do what they’re doing…the money she’s made is her own.”

The KarJenner matriarch shared that Kylie actually began her Kylie Cosmetics company “with her own savings,” and put a lot of hard work in by herself and the family took notice. “She put her own blood, sweat, and tears into it. It was her idea. It was amazing what she did,” Kris said. 

In the February issue of Paper magazine, Kylie shared that her parents, Kris and Caitlyn Jenner, “cut her off” at 15. “My parents told me I needed to make my own money, it’s time to learn how to save and spend your own money, stuff like that. What I’m trying to say is I did have a platform, but none of my money is inherited.”

Kylie defended herself regarding the “self-made” title again and admitted she didn’t find success totally by herself in a March interview with the New York Times. She stated, “I can’t say I’ve done it by myself. If they’re just talking finances, technically, yes, I don’t have any inherited money. But I have had a lot of help and a huge platform.”

After Kylie Cosmetics’ expanded into Ulta in 2018, the company’s revenue jumped 9% to an estimated $360 million. The overall valuation of the brand is estimated at $900 million. Kylie owns 100% of Kylie Cosmetics. Her other earnings come from an array of product endorsements, including sponsored Instagram posts, KUWTK, the Kendall + Kylie clothing line and her Adidas partnership.